Keeping wildlife as pets

Keeping scorpions as pets

This page has information about keeping a scorpion as a pet in the Northern Territory (NT). 

You need a permit to keep a scorpion in the NT.

Scorpions are a protected species in the NT. 

You will need a separate permit if you want to import or export scorpions into the NT. 

You also need a separate permit if you are taking a scorpion from the wild.

Housing scorpions

Scorpions can't climb, so a smooth glass or plastic aquarium or container is great for housing. 

A lid should be used to stop live food escaping. 

Place soil or gravel on the bottom of the enclosure, as well as sticks, stones or bark, for the scorpion to climb on or hide in. 

You may need to put a heat pad underneath the enclosure, but this depends where you live and the species of scorpion that you own.

Scorpions need humid conditions, which can be created by spraying mist into the enclosure each day. Be careful that the container is not wet.

Feeding scorpions

Scorpions only eat live foods, such as crickets, cockroaches, blowflies, mealworms, beetles or baby mice. 

They are usually fed once a fortnight, although this depends on the size of the animal. 

Be careful of overfeeding or underfeeding as this may cause death. 

If the scorpion eats all the food that is offered, you may need to increase the amount that you give. 

If the scorpion doesn’t eat, it is better to remove the food and wait a few days before feeding again.

Scorpions will drink from a cotton wool ball that is soaked in water.

Scorpion food should be checked for mites. Mites are the main threat to scorpion health.

Handling scorpions

You should not handle your scorpion as there is a high risk of being stung or grabbed by the scorpion’s pincers. Or you may injure your pet.

Most scorpions won't seriously harm humans, although the level of toxicity of the venom varies with each scorpion species. 

If you are stung or injured, clean the wound with antiseptic. Apply a cool cloth or ice pack to the area at 10 minute intervals. 

If you start having any type of severe reaction to a sting, seek medical attention immediately.


Keeping spiders as pets

Spiders are protected in the Northern Territory (NT). 

You must have a permit to keep a spider in the NT.

If you keep a spider as a pet, you will need to keep a proof of purchase from your pet shop.

A number of spiders are listed as threatened in the NT. You must not remove these spiders from the wild.

You must have a separate permit if you want to import or export spiders into the NT. 

You must have a permit if you take a spider from the wild that is not a threatened species.

Housing

You need to research you spider's needs. 

You should try to mimic the spider's natural environment in the enclosure. 

Many spiders have different needs for temperature, humidity, light, habitat and nutrition. 

Most spiders can climb and escape through small gaps, so make sure the enclosure is well sealed but still has enough air.

All aquariums or containers should be sealed with a lid or cover, preferably one with small holes in the top. 

Soil or other substrate should be placed on the bottom of the enclosure, along with sticks and other leaf litter. 

This will provide the spider with things to crawl over or hide underneath. 

Don't leave the container in the sun. Position it in a well lit, warm, shaded area.

Feeding

Spiders are predators. They eat crickets, bees, moths, grasshoppers, butterflies and flies. 

Pet shops will often sell insects for spiders to eat. 

If you choose to collect food yourself, make sure the insects were not sprayed with insecticides. 

Usually spiders need feeding once or twice each week.

This depends on the species and size of the spider.

Different spiders need different amounts of water. 

Plastic bottle caps or shallow bowls are good water dishes. Otherwise, a soggy piece of cotton wool can provide enough moisture. 

Never spray the cage or enclosure.

Handling

Consider all of the below when handling spiders. 

Watch the behaviour of your spider to avoid injury by recognising that your pet is stressed, anxious or about to strike.

Only handle spiders when absolutely necessary.

Handle dangerous wildlife gently.

If you are bitten by a spider, you should seek medical attention immediately. 

Stay calm, sit quietly and wait for an ambulance to arrive.

Spiders are vulnerable to fungal, viral and bacterial infections. It is very important to wash your hands before handling them.

First aid for spider bites

If you or someone else is bitten by a spider, follow these steps for first aid treatment:

Step 1. Get the patient to sit quietly and avoid movement as this increases the spread of the venom to other areas of the body.

Step 2. Don't wash the area of the bite, as the hospital will look at that area to work out the best anti-venom.

Step 3. Apply a firm bandage, but be careful not to stop the flow of blood. Using a broad bandage, start at the location of the bite and move down the limb.

Step 4. Seek medical assistance.

Step 5. Watch the patient for breathing and blood flow. Never leave the patient alone.

In the case of a red back spider, ice should be applied and seek medical assistance immediately.


Keeping emus as pets

You must have a permit to keep an emu in the Northern Territory (NT).

Emus can’t be taken from the wild.

You can only purchase an emu from a legal source, such as breeder or supplier.

If you keep an emu as a pet, you will need to retain your proof of purchase. This can be a receipt or transfer notice.

You must get a permit within 14 days of your purchase.

Parks and Wildlife staff will inspect your property. This is a condition of your permit.

You may also need council approvals.

To move emus in and out of the NT, you must have import/export permit.

Keep a record of your emu

Permits holders are responsible for keeping records of emus.

Use the supplied record book to keep and maintain records.

Handling

Emus are large, heavy inquisitive birds.

They are attracted to shiny things such as jewellery.

Emus are potentially dangerous and may peck or kick out in any direction.

The following is recommended:

  • use an experienced person to handle adult birds
  • purchase two birds and interact with them often as they grow - this will help emus become friendly adults.

Housing

You must keep your emus in accordance with the NT Animal Protection Regulations 2022.

Emus need space to run and exercise.

Emus must have sufficient access to shade, shelter and water.

Emus like to bath. Consider including a pond or bathing area.

How to build enclosure

There are strict building standards your enclosure must meet.

Each bird must not have an area less than 625m2.

Your perimeter fence must be:

  • minimum 1.8 metres high
  • constructed of steel posts and cyclone fencing.

Your posts must be:

  • dug to a minimum depth of 760mm
  • no more than 10 metres between.

Stop predators from digging in by:

  • installing 600mm mesh skirt around the base of the fence, outside the enclosure
  • bury the mesh if needed.

Emus like to run along the fence. Rounding off corners in the enclosure helps reduce injuries.

All gates must be child proof and suitably locked to prevent escapes.

The substrate must be grass, dirt or other natural material.

Use gravel along the edge of the fence to prevent erosion. Emus can wear down the earth in this area as they pace along the fence.

Other things to consider

If you have space, have two enclosures.

Rest one to allow for recovery of grazing plants.

Install a gate between the two enclosures. This will help you safely move the emus.

Plant native plants inside the enclosure for birds to graze and forage on.

Feeding

Emus should have free access to adequate quantities of appropriate food.

This can include any of the following:

  • dry feed e.g. wheat/grain mix, pellets etc
  • fresh greens and vegetables fed daily, particularly for young birds
  • commercial chick rations - available from commercial suppliers.

Feed your emu every day. Remove mouldy food.

Provide fresh clean water daily.

Food can be scattered around the enclosure to promote enrichment.

Have multiple feeding points if you have more than one animal.

Hygiene and disease

Keep your emu healthy by removing waste daily.

Seek veterinary advice:

  • if your bird becomes unwell
  • for the control of internal and external parasites.

Isolate sick or injured emus to prevent spread of disease.

Remove dead emus immediately, deep burial is recommended.


Keeping dingoes as pets

You must have a permit to keep protected wildlife in the Northern Territory (NT).

Dingoes can’t be taken from the wild.

You can only purchase a dingo from a legal source, such as a breeder or supplier.

If you move interstate, you must check you can take dingoes there.

It is a condition of your permit that:

  • Parks and Wildlife staff will inspect your property
  • dingoes are desexed.

You may need council approvals.

Only approved permit holders are exempt from desexing for captive breeding purposes only.

Handling

Dingoes are active and inquisitive by nature.

Daily exercise and mental stimulation will help keep them in their enclosures.

Dingoes can bond very well to their family.

They can be aggressive toward other people and animals.

You must ensure that they are always controlled, especially if in a public area.

It is very difficult to re-home dingoes once they have formed bonds with their owners.

If you decide to keep a dingo, you must be able to commit to keeping them for many years.

Housing

You must keep your dingoes in accordance with the NT Animal Protection Act 2018.

Dingoes are potentially very dangerous animals.

They can exhibit destructive and aggressive behaviours.

With their natural abilities in digging, climbing and jumping, they can escape.

You must meet specific requirements if you keep dingoes as pets

How to build enclosure

Two dingoes can have a minimum area of 30m2.

For every additional dingo, add 10m2.

Before you dig, go to Dial Before You Dig website.

Construction materials

Construct your fence using one of the following:

  • chain mesh with a minimum of 3.15mm wire, or
  • weldmesh with a minimum of 4mm wire with a maximum mesh spacing of 50mm.

Fence height

Your fence height must be one of the following:

  • 3.0 metres high from ground, or
  • minimum of 2.4 metres high.

If you choose to build your fence 2.4 metres high you will also need an:

  • additional 45 degree inward return of at least 400mm in length, or
  • the inward return is a full secure roof.

Prevent digging out

Stop dingoes digging out by fastening fences at the bottom. You can:

  • dig fence 500mm into ground, or
  • fit an inward-facing mesh skirt to fence bottom, at ground level.

The mesh should extend at right angles along the ground on the inside of the enclosure to 1 metre high. Prevent your dingo digging out by:

  • fastening to the ground, or
  • anchoring securely to a cement slab.

Enclosure tips

Position your enclosure so the dingoes have access to sunny and shady areas.

Include a weather proof sleeping area.

Make your enclosure interesting for dingoes by adding large logs and rocks.

Create a high spot in the centre.

They will use this to climb on and observe their surroundings.

All gates must be child proof and suitably locked to prevent escapes.

Feeding

Dingoes are naturally pack animals.

If more than one animal is kept in the same enclosure, a dominant-submissive relationship will develop.

Feed and provide fresh water for your dingo daily.

You must feed animals apart.

Always feed the dominant animal first. This will prevent dominance fights.

What to fed

Fed dingoes a varied diet, similar to what they eat in the wild.

You can feed them any of the following:

  • dried or tinned dog food
  • bones
  • rabbits
  • raw fish and chicken
  • cheese
  • vegetable matter
  • bones, lamb shanks
  • offal
  • rats and day-old chicks.

Don’t feed live animals to dingoes.

Hygiene and disease

Dingoes are susceptible to disease and infection just like common domestic dogs.

You should clean their enclosure daily.

Vaccinate your dingoes against disease, and regularly treat internal and external parasites.

They can catch diseases such as:

  • parvo
  • hookworm
  • tapeworm
  • distemper
  • coccidiosis
  • mange, ticks and lice.

Quarantine any new dingoes.